More Temples of the Bayon Period

Ta Som

Located at the north-east corner of the North Baray, a bit off the
way, this temple is rarely visited, a quiet and charming site.

Entering from the west, visitors pass by the face tower of the third enclosure.

A large causeway crosses a moat; Beyond the door pavilion of
the second enclosure – a laterite wall again – is a gallery with four
gate towers. The central tower sheltered a statue of the Buddha on the
Naga Mucalinda, which is now kept in the depot of the Angkor
Conservation.

There are some pediment reliefs, depicting a short legged bodhisattva. 173 Devata are in niches, some of them are framed by Naga.

At the north side of the causeway is an intriguing relief of the Churning of the Sea of Milk.

The east face tower is overgrown by a wrangler fig; reliefs are partly veiled, a romantic view.

Ta Nei

Ta Nei.

Map of Ta Nei (Glaize)

Deep in the forest, Ta Nei is located 200 m off the west bank of the East Baray and orientated to the baray.

The temple made the core of a monastery; the east and west gates have remained of the outer enclosure, 195 by 170 m.

U-shaped basins supplied the monks with water.

The inner enclosure consists of twelve towers or pavilions, ten of which are linked by an external gallery.

Reliefs

Reliefs depict Buddhist myths and Devata.

The most interesting relief, at the east face of the outer east gate, is now hidden by a wooden scaffold.

Roveda describes it: “In the lower register, emaciated
figures with very swollen stomachs kneel in veneration of the Lokeshvara
above them. They have been interpreted as the deceased that have not
had the final burial [...] begging for the total liberation from the
earth.”

Access

Just east of Ta Keo a small and more
and more bumpy road runs to the north, c. 800 m. You enter the temple
near the west outer gate. May be this road is sometimes closed for
vehicles.

Banteay Thom

Banteay Thom, map by Lajonquiére

Great Depature of the Buddha

Banteay Thom means "The Big Citadel". So it looks: enclosed by a stately wall and a gallery with gates to west and, much bigger, to east, are three stately towers, lined north-south, and two fire shrines.

The enclosure wall opens to the east and west with gates. A cruciform terrace precedes the stately east gate.

Similar to Prasat Prei Prasat there are a series of water basins in the outer enclosure.

The arrangement of the towers is peculiar, like at a Shiva temple. There are numerous reliefs; the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are scratched out.